#jobsearch #unemployed #mentalhealth #struggle #frustration
Why is Job Hunting So Hard?
Are you feeling overwhelmed and discouraged by the never-ending cycle of job applications leading to dead ends? You are not alone. Many individuals, like you, are facing the challenges of finding meaningful employment in today’s competitive job market. It’s okay to feel frustrated and defeated, but don’t give up hope just yet. Let’s dive into some practical solutions to help you navigate through this tough time.
The Problem
If you have been tirelessly applying to numerous job openings with no success, it’s essential to identify the potential reasons behind the struggle. Some common factors that may be hindering your job search include:
- Lack of specific experience required by employers
- High competition in the job market
- Budget constraints leading to limited job openings
- Geographical constraints affecting job opportunities
- Employers’ preference for specific qualifications or skills
Practical Solutions
While it may seem like an uphill battle, there are concrete steps you can take to improve your chances of landing a job:
- Network, Network, Network: Reach out to your professional contacts, attend networking events, and utilize social media platforms like LinkedIn to expand your network.
- Upskill and Gain Relevant Experience: Consider taking online courses, volunteering, or freelancing to acquire the skills and experience that employers are looking for.
- Customize Your Resume and Cover Letter: Tailor your application documents to each job opening by highlighting your relevant experience and skills that match the job requirements.
- Seek Professional Help: Consider reaching out to career coaches or resume writers for guidance on improving your job search strategies.
- Stay Positive and Persistent: Remember that rejection is not a reflection of your worth. Keep pushing forward, stay resilient, and maintain a positive mindset throughout your job search journey.
By taking proactive steps and staying determined, you can increase your chances of finding a job that aligns with your skills and interests. Don’t lose hope, and always remember that your ideal job is out there waiting for you.
Final Thoughts
It’s understandable to feel frustrated and mentally drained during the job search process, but remember that you are capable and deserving of success. Keep pushing through the challenges, stay resilient, and don’t hesitate to seek support from friends, family, or online communities. You are not alone in this journey, and brighter days are ahead. Stay strong, stay focused, and keep believing in yourself.
what about a job waiting tables or bartendering, great money and good schedule for interviews? not ideal but at least it’s money coming in, right?
Just wanted to lyk you’re not alone. F28, laid off April 2023 and same thing. I am at my wits end. Also can’t even get a retail job or waitressing BC I DONT HAVE PRIOR EXPERIENCE. Got rejected from 3 jobs last week that I really wanted for “being too senior”, and feedback from others that I “dont have enough experience”. You can’t win in this job market
Ohhhh man I feel this in my soul. Everything you’re saying is what I have been experiencing. I feel like I can’t even do nice things as a pick-me-up because everything costs money and I don’t have money coming in. People always say to pick up a hobby. Well what hobby doesn’t require at least some spending of money? Also how am I supposed to do this hobby when I’m so depressed and unmotivated that I have no interest in doing anything? Not to mention filled with anxiety and guilt. Doing a hobby implies being able to relax. I’ve found that everyone trying to offer solutions and suggestions is just so irritating at this point because they just. don’t. get. it.
>I’ve (F28) been unemployed since Sept 2022.
Answered your own question.
Would you be open to study again? I’m not American but in Europe we have dire shortages of nurses, doctors, apothecaries, teachers, etc. Here many hospitals, nursing homes, schools offer dual posibilities to study and work at the same time. Also: civil servants are always a good bet too.
What did you study before?
First, some questions:
Do you have a degree and if so, what was your major?
When did you graduate and how many jobs have you had since then?
If you’re still looking for a job since graduating, did you use your college recruitment services or did you do something post college first?
Don’t worry, you’re not the only person with this struggle. CNBC News even posted a video on this. [https://youtu.be/hHaDrM8EgYg?si=DrjZKlA2hEMrWNpX](https://youtu.be/hHaDrM8EgYg?si=DrjZKlA2hEMrWNpX) It’s currently nearly impossible to get a job right now despite the bs we see economists claiming a booming job market.
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I am in the same boat as you. I graduated college with a Bachelor’s 3 months ago and have been applying. I recently remade my resume, lowered my salary standards from $50k to $48-$45k, and started applying to jobs in my field that only require an associates so I could appear to be over qualified to make up for lack of experience.
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This resulted in more interviews and phone calls for me. Make sure to write cover letters (they make your application stand out!!), and learn interviewing skills, always send PROFESSIONAL emails and conduct yourself in the manner. Appearing as professional, motivated and as interested as possible will make employers want to hire you. I applied for a job I’m under qualified for and acted with this behavior and got a call back into multiple round interviews against people with years of experience on me.
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THESE CHANGES WILL HELP A LOT. This youtube channel has helped me a lot. [https://youtu.be/qfIkgfgnmzo?si=_WiG8ZwOiEiO40Up](https://youtu.be/qfIkgfgnmzo?si=_WiG8ZwOiEiO40Up)
M29 here, got a traineeship in Jan 2023 after 6-7 months of full-time job searching, a shit ton of stress, health issues, and traumatizing my girlfriend with my breakdowns. Got a job through them May 2023, only to be told yesterday it won’t work out, so I’m back again in job search hell. I was so hopeful, relieved, and ready to really start a life last year, after my girlfriend beat cancer as well. Only to fall back down to the same abyss. At least with some savings and temporarily a salary though. But I’m afraid it’s all gonna be the same again, and it felt like a fluke getting this job last year.
M28, similar situation. Unemployed since Feb 2023, I’m at 3887 applications since July 2022 (knew company was going to fail thanks to tipoff from boss who was quitting). I consistently get interviews every week, but zero offers so far despite being a silver medalist 35 times so far .
The 2023 market was significantly worse than the 2022 market, and the 2024 market has been significantly worse than the 2023 market.
Most recently, I had an email to schedule the in-person final portion of an interview on March 20th, and when I replied with my availability they just ghosted me (follow up email on Mar 25th, just nothing). There are more frozen/ canceled positions this year than I have ever seen in my entire 7 year career.
The reality is that there are few jobs available, and vast pools of high quality candidates. It is so bad that even with my 7 years experience in Biotech, I cannot secure any role ranging from technician – Lab Manager.
Recruiters and companies are becoming entangled in AI/ATS, and it is creating a nightmare for the vast majority of candidates. This also applies at retail jobs, employers are absolutely excluding those with college degrees.
I have been living 100% self sufficiently for 10 years, but May 2024 is when I move back in with my parents (in a town that I hate, with zero friends, and no car).
I have exactly 35 days to get a job that allows me to renew my lease, and at this point I think I am going to fail. But I have to keep trying.
My realistic projection is that the job market will not improve until interest rates drop, or after a recession (which I think is more likely).
There is no mercy in this market, this is what poorly implemented AI does to the job market, in much the same way that people crash into others with Tesla’s premature self driving features.
USA is broken. The ones who know it are silenced by the uninformed. Try talking to people irl and they’ll gaslight you. Even though they are working jobs where they are underpaid and overworked.